Kiwi's Odyssey: Seriously challenged!

About Pierre

Aaahhhh, hubby! We met at university and just 'clicked' and the rest is, well, history ... in fact, not only did I get my BSc at university, but I also got my Mrs. after graduation ;) ... and Pierre is still as handsome as the day I met him !

Pierre has proven to be a wonderful man and wonderful provider to his family. Pierre is loyal, loving, kind, funny, warm hearted, and a 'trickster'!

Try this on: ‘Babe’, I’m seriously thinking that I can’t go back to work – I just can’t leave Cody … he took so long in the making and with 5 loses every day is a gift! What’s the point in having our son and not been able to watch him grow up and being there for him? Followed shortly thereafter by: Followed by – Oh and babe, I want to homeschool our son … I assure you I’m ‘normal’, but this just seems ‘right’ for our family.

I just want to confirm here just how amazing my husband is. And how much he has sacrificed to make this possible. And how he has given me the greatest gift - the gift of time to spend with my son.

Thank you babe!

About Cody

I just hate to put Cody is a ‘box’ when he’s growing, changing, accepting responsibility for his actions – or not - depending on his mood, and developing into a wonderful human being. Cody’s first passion is his love of nature, animals, insects, and reptiles … a true naturalist!

Cody is very sensitive and affectionate. For a seven year old Cody has a wicked cool sense of humor and has that twinkle in his eye when he cracks a funny. His belly laugh is contagious!

As for inquisitive – Cody truly must know. And in his mind, he already does know how to lay flooring, work the skill saw, install the sprinkler system, drive the minivan … he isn’t convinced he’s not old enough for a drivers license:) He has a wonderfully analytical mind! Keeps his mum and dad on their toes!!!!

Cody enjoys playing outdoor games/sports and is well coordinated. But Cody would give it up for the finding of a toad, snake, salamander, dragonfly, butterfly etc. I’m thoroughly enjoying spending time with him, learning hands-on with him, seeing life through his eyes, encouraged by this enthusiasm and passion for living. Right now we’re a ‘team’ and it works well for our family.

How we got started Homeschooling

Cody is my miracle Canuk! And I knew that homeschooling was right for our family when Cody was 3 months old. I sure didn’t have any of the details mapped out in my mind back then, but I decided the best way to figure it out was to dive right in head first. But first, I had to figure the ‘mum’ thing out! (I’m still trying to get that one right!)

I initially read any homeschooling books I could get my hands on and started to make contacts with local groups. My goal was to get involved with other homeschooling families and ask them a ton of questions while my son started slowly building friendships with other homeschooling children.

I knew I looked like an alien from the expressions that found their way to the many homeschooling parent due to the age at which I started Cody’s involvement, yet, even to my amazement – and thankfulness, there was a ‘niche’ for us. At 12 months old Cody and I were involved in three different homeschooling groups and activities, and regularly meeting some amazingly wonderful families with a wide range of homeschooling views and directions.

Cody really started connecting with the younger siblings of homeschooled children and just as we were getting settled and into a routine with our fellow homeschoolers, my hubby up and gets a job in the States.

So we had to start all over again. I must say I wasn’t looking forward to being the ‘three eyed monster’ once again, but still believed that finding a good support group was definitely beneficial in our homeschooling experience! So, when it came to house hunting it was important to me to research homeschooling groups that would be accepting of a 30 month old.

I could not believe my luck when I found a homeschooling group that actually catered for younger children – we hit the homeschooling jackpot!!. Our activities with the group include: recess, lesson days, library days, park days, field trips, monthly parent nights (which actually does discuss the forward growth of the group) which blends into what we are doing now.

Where we’re planning on going

One of the cool things about homeschooling is being able to look at what others are doing, asking tons of questions, sometimes being allowed into the ‘classroom’ at home, and often ‘touching and feeling’ projects that others already tried with their feedback.

It’s awesome when the ‘light bulb’ comes on and you think to yourself – that’s wicked cool and man I just have to do that. Knowing my son’s learning strengths and challenges, I can see what could work for us and maybe how we can change the resource/activity to be tailored to his needs.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Seriously challenged!

When it comes to electronics, I'm seriously challenged!! Take the new video camera my hubby just got me. It's so pretty ... small, going to be great on our trip to Europe ... but I gave it a 'try' yesterday and after uploading (not me, hubby) it turned out to be a disaster!

No surprise really ... but it was rather hilarious! Needless to say, I don't have much time to figure it out. And it doesn't help when my 7 year old, who hasn't seen it either, picks it up and shows me what to do! So what I'm hearing is: 'no mama, you do it like this!'

Shameful really when you think about it! The only reason I can load pictures on my blog is if I take them on my iphone - and even then my friend had to show me an 'easy' way to do that!!! As for using the computer, well ... that's entirely another comic show!

So I'm thinking, wouldn't it be great if I could 'show' you some video of our travels? I don't know how, but I know it has to be possible ...

It would look like this ... we're off to London to see the Queen ... OOOOPPPPPSSS ... that was surposed to be a picture of her face! Disgraceful!

Anyways, that's the plan ... but I still may have to depend on my trusty iphone ... tried and true ... either way, I'll get some pics to you!

6 comments:

Dirty Girl GardeningMarch 25, 2010 at 2:33 PM
Well, if you'd like I can come to London with you and help! Fabulous city... have fun!
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kiwi gomesMarch 25, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Dirty Girl Gardening ... London with a seven year old is absolutely fabulous ... zoos, Legoland, toy stores, parks, museums ... looking forward to it ... I could always use a luggage handler!!! By the way, I love your site ... where are you located? Thanks for visiting :D
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The IdiotMarch 26, 2010 at 3:21 AM
Just load up on SDHC cards, and worry about handling the video when you get home and have more time.

When you're in London, make sure to visit Borough Market - I go there to buy one thing and end up spending hundreds of pounds! If you're mobile, give London Zoo a miss and head out for Whipsnade; it's by far the superior site. Also, get along to Kew; yes, it's commercial, but it really is a good day out.

Don't forget a nice supper of pie, mash and eels!
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kiwi gomesMarch 26, 2010 at 6:50 AM
Thanks IG! I will definately take your advice! And I need to look into Whipsnade, the Borough Market and Kew ... thanks for the thumbs up! Eels reminds me of when we were kids, we caught one and my Gran cooked it up with chips - eels and chips - arrrhhh she made good chips (need I say more ;D) But I'll be having my fill of good old fish and chips - wraped in newspaper - always tastes best that way!!!! Yum! Thanks again, and who knows, maybe you'll see a funny pair of folks at the Borough Market, and it just might be Cody and me!
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The IdiotMarch 26, 2010 at 9:42 AM
They've banned fish and chips in newspaper; you'll have to go without yesterday's news I'm afraid!
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kiwi gomesMarch 26, 2010 at 2:28 PM
That's outragious! No newspaper?! There goes the flavour! I checked out the sites! Awesome - thanks! Anything with insects, snakes, spiders, mamals, etc brings excitement to my son! In fact a couple years ago we went to Scotland - stayed right next to Edinborough castle, but alas no, the BEST part of the trip was a visit to the insect and bug place - about 1/2 hours bus ride out of the city!

Thanks again IG!
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Kiwi's Odyssey

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